Saturday 7 August 2010

Bromley Green

Bromley Green play in Division One East of the Kent County League, which is at step eight of the non league pyramid. I took the opportunity of going there at the end of last season, when they staged a game against a Kent County League representative XI, as part of their eightieth birthday celebrations. The ground was extremely basic, in an open public park, as you would expect at this lowly level, but they were still very organised, with a good set-up, where everybody seemed to know everybody. You could see why they are proud of the community ethos of their club.



This was the commemorative pennant, presented to the club by the League.



This is the approach to the ground. I actually came from the other direction, across the park, having got a bit lost, and popping into the nearby ASDA superstore, to glance at their local A to Z, from their shelves.



The pitch is straight ahead, in the park, here we can see the dugouts on the far side.



To the right are the club buildings, the small bar, with the sign above it, and the changing rooms set behind.



I asked this local lad if I could take his photo...for no other reason than I loved his t-shirt!



The home team are ready for the start of the match.



As befits the occasion, both teams walk out together.



The only 'seating' in the 'ground'!



The pitch is simply roped off, all all four sides, with a small stretch of hard standing further along, on this side, which is the corner where the players enter the field of play.



Behind the touchline is a car parking area.



Before the match both teams lined up for the 'meet & greet' with the Kent County League bigwigs.



I wasn't the only one on the pitch to 'document' it!



The Bromley Green team were resplendent in their 80th anniversary retro kit.



Hands are shook with the Rep. side.



And then a joint pre-match team photo.



I'm not sure who this chap was, but he 'did the honours' in the ceremonial kick off.



And now for the real thing...



I head back to the corner where we came in, for our stroll round the pitch.



The fence around the car park doubles up as 'benches'.



This older group of spectators are, I think, Kent County League/Kent FA officials.



This is the hard standing along the side, apparently laid a few years earlier, when they were in the top flight of the Kent County. I overheard someone say they would have to extend it by a few more yards if they were to gain promotion once more, as the rules had changed slightly.



It continues up to the halfway line.



Beyond that it's simply roped off.



From here we look over the pitch to the dugouts.



Behind the goal the rope continues.



We're at the corner. Despite the fact there's no structures as a backdrop old habits die hard. And I still offer you a 'corner flag' shot.



A glance back down the touchline.



And moving along behind the goal we see down the other touchline.



Directly down it here, from the next corner.



Here we see across the pitch, with some spectators in the picture.



The dugouts are next.



Here is one from the front.



I certainly never expected a fourth official tonight!



Continuing along, past the dugouts, and we're going round the rope.



Almost behind the goal now.



Nice artwork on the arm from one of the home substitutes.



Now a bit of match action for you to look at...





A last picture from around the ground, of three of the groundhopping fraternity at the game.



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